Dream-Land: Winter Forrest trip with International Students

3. - 7. February, 2014
Lifjell, Telemark, Norway

This year I have been fortunate enough to work with the international students at Telemark University College in Bø. I have helped out with a variety of activities such as game nights, christmas parties, and the occasional coffee hour. As part of my course I am required to have a certain number of days working unpaid in the field. I chose to partner up with one of my classmates, Krister, to act as instructor for a five day winter forrest trip with some of the international students in the surrounding mountains. The trip entailed sleeping outside under improvised shelters made out of tarps, and preparing food by campfire.

Some of the students we noticeably nervous leading up to the trip, as some had never slept outside, let alone during winter. Eva, a girl from Czech Republic, expressed concern after having seen a forecast of rain and inclement weather on the weather report. We assured her that we would still be able to find enough wood to make fires and that everything would work out in the end. The final day of the trip was marred with thick fog and strong, biting winds. Most of the group was tired from several days with poor visibility. Eva, on the other hand, seemed to have gained new confidence, leading the way with a persistent grin on her face. Seeing her tenacity and new gained confidence felt great as an instructor. It was truly a pleasure to work with this group of hard working students from around the globe.